as in red lights
something that tells of approaching danger or risk
the résumé she accidentally left on the office printer was a red flag that she was planning to quit
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Recent Examples of red flags
Consumer safety experts also flagged packaging issues, including spelling errors, as additional red flags about product legitimacy.
—
Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
The red flags are easy to spot.
—Michelle Vartan, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2026
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.
—Jessica Klein, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Those who knew the couple told the Herald there were no glaring red flags.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
There were definitely red flags.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Perhaps Karnišovas received assurances that Ivey was receiving sufficient support to negate clear red flags in his personality profile.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
But Don always saw the red flags.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2026
The verdict left many asking what tech addiction is, exactly, and whether their own use of tech should raise red flags.
—Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
The red flags are easy to spot.
—Michelle Vartan, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2026
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.
—Jessica Klein, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Those who knew the couple told the Herald there were no glaring red flags.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
There were definitely red flags.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Perhaps Karnišovas received assurances that Ivey was receiving sufficient support to negate clear red flags in his personality profile.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
But Don always saw the red flags.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2026
The verdict left many asking what tech addiction is, exactly, and whether their own use of tech should raise red flags.
—Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flags
Noun
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Swapping your bedside lighting also makes a difference — dim red lights are less likely to shift circadian rhythms than white or blue light and make a better nighttime alternative.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The suspect drove through several red lights while officers trailed behind in the Westchester, Inglewood and South LA neighborhoods.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No injuries were reported in the blaze and no structures were threatened, despite an extensive list of evacuation orders and warnings that were issued at the fire's most intense point.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Those warnings lay out the increasingly stark consequences of a war the United States and Israel embarked on, including in friendly or allied nations, which now face the prospect of economic chaos.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But there are already signs that her expulsion would have some bipartisan support.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Markets, meanwhile, showed signs of fatigue.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Red flags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flags. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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